Better TOGETHER

August 8, 2012

Some foods, when paired, are more nutritious

Honey and Yogurt

Adding honey to yogurt enhances the growth, activity and viability of Bifidobacteria, a group of bacteria that is important to the health and proper functioning of the gastro-intestinal tract. Adding honey to dairy products enhanced calcium uptake.

Green Tea and Lemon

Regular consumption of green tea can help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. The compound thought to be responsible is a catechin called ECGC. Catechins are relatively unstable in non-acidic environments such as the intestines, and less than 20 per cent of the total remains in the body after digestion. When lemon juice is added to green tea 80 per cent of the tea’s catechins remain in the body. Ideally fresh lemon should be used and added after the tea has been properly brewed, not beforehand.

High-Fat and High Calcium

After a meal high in saturated fat, combine it with a high calcium veggie or

follow it with a calcium-rich drink or dessert. Skim milk or low-fat yogurt is perfect.

Seasoning a high-carb food with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on blood sugar levels. Cinnamon has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, cholesterol-lowering, andimmune-strengthening effects. It also slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar and eating. Researchers say as little as ¼ to ½ tsp of ground cinnamon is all that is needed to achieve beneficial effects.

Broccoli and Tomatoes

When combined, they synergize to fight cancer. Studies show the real

foods seem to make the difference, since eating supplements of the cancer-fighting compounds isolated from tomatoes or broccoli did not have the same impact.